“Their memory must not be buried…” says Bishop Kussala in wake of Sudan floods

In the wake of a deadly landslide last Sunday, August 31st, that wiped out the entire village of Tarasin in Sudan’s western region of Darfur, Bishop Hiiboro Kussala of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio in South Sudan has warned against burying the memories of the victims along with the rocks.

“Their memory must not be buried with the rocks. Their story must not fade into silence,” the cleric said in a condolence message to his counterpart of the Diocese of El Obeid, Msgr. Yunan Tombe Trille Kuku.

“Tarasin must be remembered not only as a place that once was, but as a call to conscience for us all,” Hiiboro Kussala wrote.

Days of heavy rainfall led to Sunday’s landslide in Tarasin village, located in Central Darfur’s Marrah Mountains.

“Initial information indicates the death of all village residents, estimated to be more than 1,000 people,” said the Sudan Liberation Movement-Army in a statement. ”Only one person survived,” it added.

“The scale and magnitude of the disaster are immense and defy description,” said the group’s leader, Abdel-Wahid Nour.

In comments to the Catholic World Report, Msgr. Hiiboro Kussala said he was overcome with grief upon learning about the landslide.

“The idea of an entire village being wiped from the face of the earth, with only one survivor left to bear witness, is a tragedy almost beyond comprehension,” the cleric told CWR.

“But alongside sorrow came a deep sense of urgency- a moral and spiritual obligation to act, to remember, and to respond. I felt the weight of helplessness, but also the spark of solidarity that binds us to one another in times of crisis.”

Leo prays for the victims

On September 2, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, sent a telegram to Bishop Yunan Tombe Trille Kuku Andali of El Obeid on behalf of the Holy Father, in which the Pope expressed his spiritual closeness to the people of Sudan.

“His Holiness Pope Leo XIV was deeply saddened to learn of the devastation caused by the landslide in the village of Tarasin in Sudan’s central Darfur region, and he assures everyone affected by this disaster of his spiritual closeness,” said the telegram.

It said Pope Leo was “praying especially for the eternal rest of the dead, for those who mourn their loss, and for the rescue of the many persons still missing.”

Leo also “offers encouragement to the civil authorities and emergency personnel in their ongoing relief efforts,” the cardinal said.

A day after the telegram, Leo once again spoke about “dramatic news” coming from Sudan, particularly from Darfur.

 “In el-Fasher many civilians are trapped in the city, victims of famine and violence. In Tarasin, a devastating landslide has caused numerous deaths, leaving behind pain and despair. And as if that weren’t enough, the spread of cholera is threatening hundreds of thousands of people who are already exhausted.”

“I make a heartfelt appeal to those in positions of responsibility and to the international community to ensure humanitarian corridors are open and to implement a coordinated response to stop this humanitarian catastrophe,” the Pontiff said.

A double tragedy

The bishop described the landslide as “a double tragedy.” War and hunger had driven the people to seek refuge in the village, but nature had other plans for them.

 “Nature itself turned violent, adding to a cycle of suffering that no people should have to endure,” Msgr. Hiiboro Kussala told CWR.

He said what happened goes beyond natural tragedy. He pointed to environmental degradation, the chaos of war, and global neglect of Sudan’s humanitarian crisis as incidental to the catastrophe, and stressed the need to “study this tragedy not only with hearts that grieve but with minds that seek to understand, prevent, and protect.”

“Sadly, this is not an isolated incident,” the Bishop said.

He said that Sudan has been increasingly prone to natural disasters, especially floods and landslides, exacerbated by deforestation and erratic weather patterns.

“The Marrah Mountains, while offering refuge, are geologically unstable during heavy rains,” he explained.

“What we are witnessing is the intersection of environmental vulnerability, displacement, and neglect. This should be a wake-up call not just for Sudan, but for the world to address environmental justice and climate resilience as urgent moral imperatives,” he told CWR.

A Church in solidarity with victims

Bishop Hiiboro Kussala of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio told CWR that although the Marrah Mountains are extremely difficult to reach, the Church will stay true to its bidding as one that stands in solidarity with people in need.

“The Church has always stood with the people, not only in spiritual solidarity but in practical action. Even in the most remote and war-torn regions, Church personnel are among the first to respond, bringing food, medical care, shelter, and pastoral support. In this latest tragedy, Church networks, despite limited acces,s are working to raise awareness, organize relief, and reach the survivors. The Church also plays a crucial role in advocacy, calling on international partners not to forget Sudan and to provide the necessary humanitarian assistance,” he told CWR.

In his message to Mgr. Yunan Tombe Trille Kuku, the Bishop of Tombura-Yambio said, “it is our shared humanity, our common faith, and our spiritual responsibility that compel us to speak to comfort, to support, and to hope.”

“Please accept my deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers for all those affected. I stand with you in mourning, but also in courage and in the pursuit of justice, dignity, and healing for the survivors. As the Holy Bible reminds us in Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” And in the Holy Qur’an, we read: “Indeed, with hardship comes ease.” (Surah Al-Inshirah 94:6)”

 ‘In these sacred words, we find not only comfort but a divine calling to uplift one another, to bring compassion where there is pain, and to hold tightly to the thread of hope when everything else seems lost,” he said.

He urged the people of faith to stand together across boundaries of religion and region to respond to climate-related disasters, to advocate for peace, and to care for creation as stewards of God’s earth. “To Your Excellency, the Church of El Obeid, and the entire community: I offer my unwavering support, prayers, and commitment to amplify your voices and your needs. May your faith never falter; your hands find strength, and your spirit rise above the dust.”